Drains in Thyroid and Parathyroid SurgeryAre They Necessary?
Mark K. Wax, MD;
Algis P. Valiulis, MD;
Michael K. Hurst, DDS, MD
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121(9):981-983.
Abstract
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Objective
To assess the postoperative complications in patients who underwent elective thyroid or parathyroid surgery without postoperative drainage.
Design
During a 6-year period all patients who met study criteria were prospectively evaluated.
Setting
General community and tertiary referral center.
Patients
Fifty-seven patients undergoing thyroid surgery and eight patients undergoing parathyroid surgery were evaluated. Twenty-four patients were excluded because drains were placed postoperatively. Reasons for exclusion included presence of a large dead space, substernal goiter, extensive neck dissection for malignant neoplasm, and large goiters.
Results
Major complications consisted of a hematoma requiring reexploration in one patient, and a recurrent nerve palsy in one patient. Minor complications consisted of temporary hypocalcemia (three), seroma (one), and superior flap edema that resolved in 3 months (20).
Conclusion
Routine prophylactic drainage in a select patient population is unnecessary after uncomplicated thyroid or parathyroid surgery.
(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:981-983)
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown (Drs Wax and Hurst); and the Department of Surgery, Oshawa (Ontario) General Hospital (Dr Valiulis).
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Drainage After Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
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ABSTRACT
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